Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Leaving floodplains for rivers essential to prevent disasters: Sant Balbir Seechewal
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, September 8, 2025: Rajya Sabha MP and noted environmentalist Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal has stressed that real relief from floods will come only by staying close to nature and allowing rivers their natural floodplains.
Having spent the past 29 days with flood-affected communities, he said Punjab must urgently rethink its development model, which has destroyed forests and mountains while inviting repeated natural disasters.
Highlighting Punjab’s 900 km of earthen embankments along major rivers, Seechewal said most of them were constructed in the 1950s and 60s but have now been severely damaged by record-breaking floods.
“These embankments must be strengthened with permanent roads and trees planted along them,” he suggested. He further emphasized that climate change is altering rainfall and cropping patterns, making sustainable practices unavoidable.
“Planting five trees at every field or tubewell is the simplest step to reduce floods and ensure timely rains,” he said. Punjab has nearly 1.4 million tubewells; planting five trees at each would create 7 million new saplings—a massive green shield against climate risks.
“Civilizations have always flourished along rivers because they bring fertile soil,” Seechewal reminded. “But once humans began interfering with nature, they invited trouble. The solution lies in restoring balance, not fighting against nature.”